He reached the majors in 2001, and has spent time with Detroit, San Diego, and Milwaukee over parts of 7 seasons. He did not see the light of a major league roster in 2004 or 2005. Over 582 career plate appearances, Rivera has a line of .244/.305/.383/.688, and an OPS+ of 82.

Concerning 2010, Rivera was in Spring Training with the Yankees, and before being released, he amassed a line of .167/.250/.278/.528 over 10 games and 20 plate appearances.